The Sporting News has released their unnecessarily early preseason top 25 for the 2012-13 college basketball season and Louisville checks in at number three. This obviously means absolutely nothing, but let’s take a look at what they have to say about the Cardinals.

Why they’ll finish here:Here’s a declaration to ponder: Rick Pitino has coached two Louisville teams into the Final Four, and this will stand as his most talented batch of Cardinals yet. Along with proven quantities such as point guard Peyton Siva, power forward Chane Behanan and center Gorgui Dieng, Louisville now should have a healthy Wayne Blackshear and Mike Marra and a better prepared Kevin Ware available on the wings. The team’s March run showed the Cardinals what they’re capable of achieving. They might be a bit light on elite players to seize the national title, but they’re good enough to be around to grab it if the more gifted teams let it slip.

The Sporting News also explains why Louisville may not finish this highly ranked, but we prefer to be positive thinkers here, therefore we won’t acknowledge that kind of negative outlook. In addition, they identify Wayne Blackshear as the key ingredient to helping UofL reach their full potential. I agree with that 100%.

As for the rest of the rankings, Indiana comes in at the top spot, with Ben Howland’s UCLA squad second. Following the Cards at three are Ohio State at four, and some team called Kentucky at five. Again, these rankings mean absolutely nothing, but check it out anyway, it’s better than doing actual work.